8 Ideas for Creating an Office in Your Loft
Create the ideal work environment at the top of your home
Susannah Hutchison
29 November 2018
Houzz Contributor
Going upstairs to work in an office has many benefits – mainly the short commute from the bedroom. The fact that a loft room is slightly set apart from the rest of the house also makes it an ideal space to work in.
The tendency to fill this room with clutter can, however, make it less of an appealing option, so check out these simple ideas for creating a streamlined, workable space.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
The tendency to fill this room with clutter can, however, make it less of an appealing option, so check out these simple ideas for creating a streamlined, workable space.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Build into nooks
A converted loft office will often have a number of nooks and crannies created by the structural supports and the angle of the roof, so use these to build in shelving for books and files.
This simple shelf desk has been cut to wrap around the central section of the wall, adding useful extra work and storage space at either end.
Planning a loft extension? Find loft conversion specialists in your area.
A converted loft office will often have a number of nooks and crannies created by the structural supports and the angle of the roof, so use these to build in shelving for books and files.
This simple shelf desk has been cut to wrap around the central section of the wall, adding useful extra work and storage space at either end.
Planning a loft extension? Find loft conversion specialists in your area.
Make it multi-task
Many home offices do double duty as a spare bedroom, and this loft room is packed full of storage ideas to create an impressively multi-functional space.
The desk itself is built in over the radiator, with slats to let the heat out and a sinuous shape to make the most of the space.
The sloped corner provides the perfect spot for some recessed shelves – a few next to the desk, and three at the side of the bed.
Many home offices do double duty as a spare bedroom, and this loft room is packed full of storage ideas to create an impressively multi-functional space.
The desk itself is built in over the radiator, with slats to let the heat out and a sinuous shape to make the most of the space.
The sloped corner provides the perfect spot for some recessed shelves – a few next to the desk, and three at the side of the bed.
Inject some colour
This creative workspace has lashings of colour on every surface, but grouping the colours together means there is still a sense of order.
Colour-coded filing has a practical benefit, too, as it makes it easier to find what you need when you need it.
This creative workspace has lashings of colour on every surface, but grouping the colours together means there is still a sense of order.
Colour-coded filing has a practical benefit, too, as it makes it easier to find what you need when you need it.
Stay slimline
The bigger the desk, the more room for clutter, so to prevent yours becoming a magnet for every stray bit of paper in the house, go for a narrow design like this one, which has been custom-made with MDF.
If you’re mainly working at a laptop, the actual workspace doesn’t have to be very big at all, and this slimline solution also avoids the desk impinging too much on the rest of the room.
No room for a dedicated office? See these ideas for slotting a work area into other rooms in your home.
The bigger the desk, the more room for clutter, so to prevent yours becoming a magnet for every stray bit of paper in the house, go for a narrow design like this one, which has been custom-made with MDF.
If you’re mainly working at a laptop, the actual workspace doesn’t have to be very big at all, and this slimline solution also avoids the desk impinging too much on the rest of the room.
No room for a dedicated office? See these ideas for slotting a work area into other rooms in your home.
Come off the wall
There’s a tendency in any office space to position the desk up against the wall, but why not face out into the room instead?
Going for a standard table like this allows space for someone else to sit at the desk – useful if you’re working on more collaborative projects.
In this room, breaking free from the wall makes space for useful storage instead, with a bank of neat cupboards, while the rug gives the whole space a more homely, less ‘officey’ feel.
There’s a tendency in any office space to position the desk up against the wall, but why not face out into the room instead?
Going for a standard table like this allows space for someone else to sit at the desk – useful if you’re working on more collaborative projects.
In this room, breaking free from the wall makes space for useful storage instead, with a bank of neat cupboards, while the rug gives the whole space a more homely, less ‘officey’ feel.
Curve round the corner
Soften the hard angles of a loft room with a curve in the desk, built in to the make the most of every inch of space.
Here, a hole’s been cut out of the desk so the lamp lead can be tucked neatly away, and a combination of pull-out drawers and shelves provides a good mix of storage options.
Soften the hard angles of a loft room with a curve in the desk, built in to the make the most of every inch of space.
Here, a hole’s been cut out of the desk so the lamp lead can be tucked neatly away, and a combination of pull-out drawers and shelves provides a good mix of storage options.
Create a cosy retreat
You don’t necessarily need a large dormer to tuck in a workstation – a small loft can become a cosy escape. In this roof space, a desk on one side and cupboards on the other have been tucked under the eaves, while bespoke shelving on the triangular gable creates a surprising amount of storage.
If the rafters are exposed, as here, run with the theme and bring in wooden furniture for a rustic look, but make sure you include lots of illumination – here, there’s a run of bright spotlights along the roof ridge as well as a desk lamp.
You don’t necessarily need a large dormer to tuck in a workstation – a small loft can become a cosy escape. In this roof space, a desk on one side and cupboards on the other have been tucked under the eaves, while bespoke shelving on the triangular gable creates a surprising amount of storage.
If the rafters are exposed, as here, run with the theme and bring in wooden furniture for a rustic look, but make sure you include lots of illumination – here, there’s a run of bright spotlights along the roof ridge as well as a desk lamp.
Double up
These days, there are often two family members working from home, which can be a recipe for arguments about who will work where. If this sounds familiar, consider creating a work hub in your loft.
This space is light and open, and each worker has a dedicated desk and storage. Having the work stations facing in opposite directions is a good idea for concentration. You can always agree to spin your chairs round for a tea break and chat at 11am.
Tell us…
Do you work from home? If so, do you have a dedicated work space? Share your set-up and ideas in the Comments section.
These days, there are often two family members working from home, which can be a recipe for arguments about who will work where. If this sounds familiar, consider creating a work hub in your loft.
This space is light and open, and each worker has a dedicated desk and storage. Having the work stations facing in opposite directions is a good idea for concentration. You can always agree to spin your chairs round for a tea break and chat at 11am.
Tell us…
Do you work from home? If so, do you have a dedicated work space? Share your set-up and ideas in the Comments section.
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We have 11 foot ceilings and any staircase would spoil the bedroom or living room downstairs.
I’ve been trying to find something collapsible that allows me to walk down front ways, but the height of the ceilings makes it hard.
We currently have a ladder and some floorboards up there for storage only. I’m getting too old for that ladder.
Anyone have any ideas for access? I’m in Sydney.
I kept my space as uncluttered as I could with no distractions, and deliberately kept my desk away from the windows as I would never get any work done!!
Love your desk!